REVIEW / Insights Gained: Cult of the Elizabeth (PC)

Lesson Learned: Cult of the Elizabeth is anything but subtle or serene. You might think its cute facade would mean it’s a gentle experience, but you’d be wrong. This tower defense gem is packed with relentless action and some surprisingly creepy bird monsters. For me, what draws me into a game often starts with its visual design. And let me tell you, the main screen of Cult of the Elizabeth grabbed my attention right away when I first booted it up. Initially, I feared it might be a knock-off of Don’t Starve—a game I hold dear—because of its similar art style and music. But after spending a few minutes playing, those worries vanished. It became clear to me that this quirky world had its own charms and unique features.

In Cult of the Elizabeth, you can dive into both solo and co-op modes, guiding Amelia and her classmates as they scramble to escape a nightmarish scenario. However, I must admit that the solo mode left me feeling a bit frustrated due to the tedious process of gathering resources to upgrade towers. Typically, I enjoy taking a breather by collecting rocks or chopping wood in games, but here, the task felt a bit never-ending, leaving me struggling to defend my base effectively. Perhaps combat isn’t my forte, but even on easy mode, I found myself getting overrun by these avian minions. My sidekick’s assistance felt more like managing a needy child rather than helpful support. Honestly, the last thing I want in my gaming experience is more micromanagement when real life already serves up plenty of that!

Despite the resource-gathering tedium, the overall gameplay holds strong. The combat mechanics are solid—simple yet demand precision. This isn’t a game where firing randomly will win you battles; timing and skill are key to keeping those monsters at bay. Positioning towers wisely becomes paramount as resources dwindle and monster waves increase. The enemies themselves aren’t overly challenging, but when a horde of turkeys dressed in period costumes starts marching your way, excitement levels skyrocket in an instant.

With some PC games, the developers highly recommend using a controller, and Cult of the Elizabeth is one of those. Surprisingly, I encountered no issues sticking to my trusty keyboard, which feels just fine as controls. Maybe the challenges intensify later and it becomes harder to manage without a controller—but I’ll need more playtime to determine that for sure.

All things considered, Cult of the Elizabeth left a positive impression on me. Though it’s straightforward at the moment, I sense it’s bursting with potential. If the developers decide to enrich the story and refine a few mechanics, it could evolve into an even more engaging experience with greater replay value. For now, the prologue is free on Steam, so I recommend giving this quirky adventure a try if you’re curious!

In summary, Lesson Learned: Cult of the Elizabeth manages to blend various genres into a captivating mix. Here’s a quick rundown of my review:

• Gameplay: 7.5/10
• Plot / Writing: 6.5/10
• Design / Visuals: 9/10
• Overall: 7.7/10

Pros:

• Whimsical, gothic art style that nicely complements the story
• Unique soundtrack blending light-hearted and sinister tunes
• A good mix of combat and exploration within an atmospheric setting

Cons:

• Resource collection feels tedious
• Enemies aren’t very challenging or diverse

Overall, if you’re looking for something fresh and unique, Cult of the Elizabeth might just be worth a look!